Vivarium size?

[Colin Manning]

I am wanting to get a ball python bu only have a 2ft wide space to put one in. would this be big enough? Mabee if it was higher I could make planty of climbing room for it?

This will be my first snake. What do you think I should do?

[mtxsub7]

BP's aren't really climbers, now and then they are but you need length not height, so you need a 20L and thats about 4 feet long =/


you could just use a 10 gallon though

[Snake Dave]

BP's aren't really climbers, now and then they are but you need length not height, so you need a 20L and thats about 4 feet long =/


you could just use a 10 gallon though

20L tanks are only 30" long. If its a hatchling/sub-adult Royal/Ball then a 10 gallon tank would be fine. If you want to go straight to the adult size tank I'd recommend a 36" * 18" * 18" tank, or one of comparable size (you can go smaller). Like mtxsub said, BPs aren't really climbers, they will climb if the chance is provided, but are clumsy and will often fall.

Basically, all you need for an adequate enclosure is two hides (one on each side of the tank), a water dish and a thermostatically controlled source of heat. Adding artificial plants and rocks, cork bark etc. adds a nice look to the tank and helps with shedding. Good substrates are newspaper (by far the easiest, but looks terrible), paper towels and aspen. But I'd recommend feeding outside of the tank, to prevent ingestion of substrate (should you choose a particulate substrate), it also prevents the association of hand in tank = feeding.

If you put your hatchling straight into the adult tank, you need to provide lots of hides and cover. This means multiple hides on each side, and lots of plant cover. Also, place your water dish around the edge of the enclosure, as hatchlings often use the edges to navigate as they feel more secure. If he/she refuses to eat after the initial induction period (at least 3 days of no disturbances), then I'd recommend moving him/her into a smaller tank. If this isn't feasible, shove some crumpled up newspaper in there, this can work wonders. You can then gradually 'wean' them off of the newspaper, taking out one piece a day or so, until eventually none is left.

I hope that helps

David

[ChrisBowsman]

I'd recommend that you use an under-bed storage tub. They're easy to maintain, and cost very little. People dislike them because they don't provide a fantastic view of the snake, but BPs aren't really a fantastic choice for someone who wants a snake to watch. The only time you really get to watch them is when they're out of the enclosure.

As far as the feeding outside the cage, you're going to be putting food into the tank once or maybe twice a week. You're going to be opening it up to change the water every day, and probably handling the snake at least a few times a week. I don't really think the "hand in tank=feeding" thing is a serious issue.

I will admit I'm pretty cautious at feeding time, and dump the mice into the cage from a small box (don't freak out, they drop maybe 3" ).